The Thousand-Year Ledger

The Ledger · Science · Grade 1

Loud, soft, high, low

A sound can be high and soft at the same time. Loudness and pitch tell us different things.

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Let’s look a little closer

Loudness describes how loud or soft a sound is. Pitch describes how high or low it is. A gentle, high hum can be soft.

With the same drum, tapping place, and listening position, a slightly firmer tap can make larger vibrations and a louder sound. Use only comfortable sounds.

Waiting longer between beats changes the gaps. It does not, by itself, make each beat softer.

What we can discover

In the real world

Pitch and loudness are different properties. Changing a gentle tap can change the sound of a drum.

What the story imagines

In Ollie’s world

Maya's paper dragon and the river on her table are a pretend adventure inside the story.

Keep exploring

These sources are for a closer look with a grown-up.

Discover by doing

Try a little experiment.

Science5 min

A dragon's gentle footsteps

Try two comfortable drum sounds, then choose soft footsteps for an imaginary dragon.

Grade 1 · At home or in class